A Visit to Saint Vincent Seminary in Tandang Sora

One could not miss this imposing church along Tandang Sora Avenue . This had been a favorite wedding and events place . There is also an active sunday market within the seminary grounds with about 50 to 60 stall holders selling from native kakanins, ready to wear ( rtw ) clothes, children’s toy , food and accessories .

Santuario de San Vicente de Paul

The construction of the Santuario de San Vicente de Paul Church building started as a Millennium Project of the Philippine Province of the Congregation of the Mission.

flea market

Well-known Filipino-Chinese architect Mr. Froilan Hong, who is sought after member of the designers’ academe recognized internationally. He also designed the Manila Film Center . The Church ossuary is built just below the main church .

It was in the 2000 Provincial Assembly that the initial concept was given an approval. Earlier proposals advocated the maximization of the vacant lot in front of the seminary. Since the Seminary Chapel was open to the public and had become smaller with the increasing number of mass-goers, a bigger Church structure that would include a Pastoral-Social Center was seen as the best project for the said space. With the go-signal and permission coming from the Archbishop of Manila Jaime Cardinal L. Sin to build a shrine, the ground-breaking took place on March 25, 2003. The construction was slow and it took over 10 years before the church and surrounding venue place is slowly towards its full completion .

The altar sets was designed and made by Mr. Daniel dela Cruz . He is industrial product designer -turned sculptor . The altar table of the church was patterned after the empty tomb of Christ after his resurrection . As described by John 20:17 ” John narrates how , when Mary of Magdalene told them that Jesus’ body had disappeared , Peter and John hurried to the tomb but but only saw burial cloths and the cloth that had covered Jesus’s head .

church lectern , main altar and priest seat / presidential chair are all made from bronze

The altar piece , one whole artwork from bronze , had a patina with gold hues. The empty tomb is reflected those full-length cover or lid had been towards the place where Christ’s body is found. Eight rays emanate from the lower portion which is illuminated with proper lighting fixtures . All these pieces were finished by the first quarter of 2015.

The Jesus Christ crucifixion was made by Mr. Jordan Mendoza. He is an artist son of well-known artist Mr. Jose Mendoza . He named the bronze crucifix ” The last two minute of Christ ”

church seats

The church boast clean lines of pews, level play , very welcoming ambiance. It had a sitting capacity of between 800 to 1,000 people at any given day . In fact , the church had been a venue for some religious concert . It also had a good acoustic .

The windows are also well-placed and allow natural lights to enter the main church without adding artificial lights. The church is well-ventilated .

Artist Haven

With its unique architectural design, Santuario de San Vicente de Paul commands attention as it stands imposingly along Tandang Sora Avenue. The beautiful structure whose construction started in 2003 has been gradually moving toward its completion especially in recent years.

The chapel of Our Lady of Miraculous Medal is created in modern stylized Philippine rococo architecture using old narra trees that were toppled down when a strong typhoon hit the place. Instead of discarding the old trees. The congregation decided to ask for the help of well-known artist Mr. Willy Layug from Betis, Pampanga province. Hence giving another life to the felled narra trees.

He also done several art works which included some religious icon that were given to Pope Francis and other foreign dignitaries . He also did the main altar and Marian images at the Our Lady of Mercy Parish Church in Novaliches .

The chapel is air-conditioned and had a wooden seats for the devotee. According to the parish head . There were some attempt by burglars a couple of years ago to get the items inside the chapel.

Monstrance with relic of Saint Vincent

Parish Museum

The group was given a first hand tour by Father Raul Pura at the parish museum where we saw some of the church pieces , vestments , relics , fixtures from the church before the modern art pieces were installed in 2015. Some of the important church items are made from a well-known maker from Bulacan . The tour was facilitated thru Ms. Edna del Rosario and Mr. Randy Angelo Diono .

chalice

church lectern made from hard wood

Bulwagang San Vicente

Bulwagang San Vicente is located just beside the main church and just above the parish office. The venue place had a sitting capacity between 300 to 350 people , ideal for weddings, debuts, seminar , baptism and conferences. The food tasting event was co-hosted by Hizon Catering and their partners.